Stand for Dinnerware

ABSTRACT

A stand for dinnerware that can be easily adjusted for an enhanced presentation of food and drink. The stand includes a base, a pillar, and one or more holders. The pillar is configured for positioning on the base. Each of the holders is configured for adjustable positioning on the pillar. Further, each holder is configured to support an article of dinnerware.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/791,660, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to stands to hold articles. More specifically, the invention is directed to a stand for dinnerware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stands for dinnerware are used to hold, among other things, plates, platters, and bowls in the presentation of food and drink at banquets and other events. Past stands either do not allow for adjustability or are difficult to adjust. The invention provides a stand for dinnerware that is easily adjustable so dinnerware items can display food and drink in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a stand for dinnerware that can be easily adjusted for an enhanced presentation of food and drink. The stand includes a base, a pillar, and one or more holders. The pillar is configured for positioning on the base. Each of the holders is configured for adjustable positioning on the pillar. Further, each holder is configured to support an article of dinnerware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a stand for dinnerware according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a holder according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a crown holder according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view similar to the view of FIG. 1 showing items of dinnerware positioned on the stand for dinnerware according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference being made to the drawings. An embodiment of the stand is identified generally by the reference number “10.”

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stand 10 has a base 12 with a first surface 14 configured for engaging a support surface (as described below) and a second surface 16 configured to engage a pillar 18. In an embodiment, the base 12 has one or more base openings 20 extending between the first and second surfaces 14 and 16 that are sized and adapted for the insertion of one or more attachment members such as threaded fasteners 22. The base 12 can be constructed from a variety of suitable materials depending on the application. In an embodiment, the base 12 is constructed of metal such as steel for strength, durability, and cost.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pillar 18 that extends longitudinally between a top 24 and a bottom 26. The pillar 18 is configured for vertical positioning on the second surface 16 of the base 12. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the pillar 18 has one or more threaded mounting blocks 28 having one or more openings 30 that are sized and adapted for engagement with the threaded fasteners 22 for releasable attachment of the pillar 18 to base 12.

In the broadest aspect of the invention, the pillar 18 has a surface having an opening or slot configured for the adjustable positioning of a holder for an article of dinnerware. In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pillar 18 has a first surface 32, a second surface 34, a third surface 36 and a fourth surface 38, which are arranged in substantially perpendicular relationships to one another to form a substantially square-shaped configuration as shown. In this embodiment, the pillar 18 has a first corner 40, a second corner 42, a third corner 44, and a fourth corner 46. Each of the surfaces 32-38 includes one or more slots 48. In the embodiment as shown, one or more slots 48 are positioned at the corners 40-46. Referring to FIG. 3, the surfaces 32-38 are arranged in such a way to form an interior space 50. In this regard, the pillar 18 is open at the top 24. The pillar 18 can be constructed of a variety of suitable materials depending on the application. In an embodiment, the pillar 18 is constructed of metal such as steel for strength, durability, and cost.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the stand 10 has one or more holders 52 configured to support an article of dinnerware. In an embodiment, each holder 52 has a bracket 54 and an article support member 56. In the broadest aspect of the invention, the bracket 54 has one or more slot members that are configured for adjustable positioning in a slot. In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bracket 54 has a first slot member 58 and a second slot member 60 that extend upwardly from a bracket plate 62 in a spaced relationship to one another. A pillar engagement member 64 extends downwardly from the bracket plate 62. The pillar engagement member 64 is configured to engage one of the surfaces 32-38 of the pillar 18. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 54 has first and second slot members 58 and 60 and a pillar engagement member 64, and further includes a second pillar engagement member 66 extending downwardly from the bracket plate 62 in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the pillar engagement member 64. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the holder 52 is adjustability positioned on the pillar 18 by inserting the first and second slot members 58 and 60 into the slots 48.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the article support member 56 is configured to support an article of dinnerware. For example, the dinnerware article can be a container for food and drink such as a dish, a plate, a platter, a bowl, or beverageware. It can also support containers for other items such as vases for flowers. In an embodiment, the article support member 56 is configured to support a dinnerware article having a specific shape such as square, rectangular, round, or irregular shapes. In an embodiment, the article support member 56 has one or more support surfaces. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the article support member 56 has a first support surface 68, a second support surface 70, a third support surface 72, and a fourth support surface 74, which are arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the support surfaces 68-74 are arranged in a substantially square configuration. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, one or more spacers 76 are positioned on one or more of the support surfaces 68-74 upon which the dinnerware articles may be positioned. The article support member 56 and the spacers 76 can be constructed from a variety of suitable materials depending on the application. In an embodiment, the article support member 56 is constructed of steel for strength, durability, and cost. In an embodiment, the spacers 76 are constructed of an elastomeric material such as rubber for strength, durability, and cost.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the stand 10 has a crown holder 78 configured for positioning on an end of the pillar 18 such as the top 24. In an embodiment, the crown holder 78 has one or more legs that are configured for placement in the interior space 50 of the pillar 18. In an embodiment, the crown holder 78 has a first leg 80, a second leg 82, a third leg 84, and a fourth leg 86. The crown holder 78 is configured to support a dinnerware article. In an embodiment, the crown holder 78 has a crown holder first support surface 88, a crown holder second support surface 90, a crown holder third support surface 92, and a crown holder fourth support surface 94.

The stand 10 can be used in a variety of places such as banquet facilities and restaurants. As shown in FIG. 8, the second surface 16 of the base 12 can be configured for placement on a variety of serving surfaces such as a table 96. One or more article support members 56 can be adjustably positioned on the pillar 18 either on one or more of the surfaces 32-38, and/or on one or more of the corners 40-46. Dinnerware articles can be positioned on one or more of the holders 52 and/or the crown holder 78.

Certain embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein are defined in various examples. It should be understood that these examples, while indicating particular embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this disclosure, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various usages and conditions. Various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. 

1. A stand for dinnerware comprising: a base; a pillar configured for positioning on the base; and a holder configured for adjustable positioning on the pillar, the holder configured to support an article of dinnerware.
 2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the base has a first surface configured for engaging a support surface and a second surface configured to engage the pillar.
 3. The stand of claim 2, wherein the support surface is a table.
 4. The stand of claim 2, wherein the pillar is configured for vertical positioning on the second surface of the base.
 5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the pillar has a surface having a slot configured for the adjustable positioning of the holder.
 6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the pillar has at least two surfaces, each surface having at least two slots configured for the adjustable positioning of a holder.
 7. The stand of claim 5, wherein the pillar has two adjacent surfaces positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship with respect to one another to form a corner, a slot positioned at the corner, the slot configured for the adjustable positioning of the holder.
 8. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand further comprises a crown holder configured for positioning on an end of the pillar.
 9. The stand of claim 8, wherein the crown holder has at least one leg configured for placement on the end of the pillar.
 10. The stand of claim 1, wherein the holder has a bracket configured for positioning in a slot of the pillar and an article support member.
 11. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has at least one slot member configured for positioning in the slot.
 12. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has two spaced slot members each configured for positioning in the slot.
 13. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has a pillar engagement member configured for engaging the pillar.
 14. The stand of claim 10, wherein the bracket has at least one slot member configured for positioning in the slot and two pillar engagement members configured for engaging the pillar.
 15. The stand of claim 14, wherein the two pillar engagement members are positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship with respect to one another.
 16. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has at least one support surface
 17. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has at least two support surfaces
 18. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has four support surfaces arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration.
 19. The stand of claim 10, wherein the article support member has four support surfaces arranged in a substantially square configuration.
 20. The stand of claim 10, wherein the stand further comprises at one spacer positioned on the article support member. 